Combined weeper and sprinkler assembly and method for use in a slow diffusion type irrigation system

ABSTRACT

A weeper assembly selectively usable with a sprinkler device and method for use in a slow diffusion type irrigation system comprising a tubular housing insertable at intervals along a water supply line and having a captive valve therein movable between a plurality of seats including a sub-atmospheric pressure seat and a super-atmospheric pressure seat limiting flow to a desired seepage rate adequate to support plant life within a restricted area. The second seat may be detachably supported at the outlet end of the assembly in different positions to provide flow at different rates, each of said positions being sufficiently close to the fixed seat than the valve seats thereon and cuts off all flow when the second seat is either loosely assembled or fully detached. The second seat is readily replaceable by a sprinkler head having means for supporting the valve off its fixed seat so long as the sprinkler head is in assembled position.

United States Watch [191 Reeder et a1.

[ July 15, 1975 [76] Inventors: Wilbur C. Reeder, 1961 Midwick Dr., Altadena, Calif. 91001; Norman D. Batter-son, 3870 Shadow Grove Rd., Pasadena, Calif.

[22] Filed: July 5, 1974 [21] App]. No.: 485,987

Related U.S. Application Data [60] Continuation of Ser. No. 326,581, Jan. 26, 1973, abandoned, which is a division of Ser. No. 131,355, April 5, 1971, Pat. No, 3,746,263.

[52] U.S. Cl. 239/11; 239/542; 239/397; 239/443; 239/570 [51] Int. Cl B05b 1/16; B05b l/30; BOSb 15/00 [58] Field of Search 239/1, 6, 11,391, 397, 239/439, 442, 443, 542, 570, 571

2,720,420 10/1955 Seifferle 239/570 X 2,796,293 6/1957 Becker 239/391 X 3,073,529 l/l963 Baker 137/5l6.25 X

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 722,951 2/1955 United Kingdom 239/571 1,155,285 6/1969 United Kingdom 239/570 119,182 3/1927 Switzerland 239/443 Primary Examiner-Robert S. Ward, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Sellers and Brace 5 7 ABSTRACT A weeper assembly selectively usable with a sprinkler device and method for use in a slow diffusion, type irrigation system comprising a tubular housing insertable at intervals along a water supply line and having a captive valve therein movable between a plurality of seats including a sub-atmospheric pressure seat and a superatmospheric pressure seat limiting flow to a desired seepage rate adequate to support plant life within a restricted area. The second seat may be detachably supported at the outlet end of the assembly in different positions to provide flow at different rates, each of said positions being sufficiently close to the fixed seat than the valve seats thereon and cuts off all flow when the second seat is either loosely assembled or fully detached. The second seat is readily replaceable by a sprinkler head having means for supporting the valve off its fixed seat so long as the sprinkler head is in assembled position.

21 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures COMBINED WEEPER AND SPRINKLER ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR USE IN A SLOW DIFFUSION TYPE IRRIGATION SYSTEM This application is a continuation of my application Ser. No. 326,581, filed .Ian.- 26-, 1973,.andnow abandoned, which application is a division of my=application for U.S Pat. application Ser. No. 131,355 filed Apr. 5, 1971, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,746,263, entitled Weeper Assembly and Method-for Use in a Slow Diffusion Type Irrigation System.

This invention relates to irrigation systems, and more particularly to an improved weeper assembly connectable at intervals along a water supply line and operable to permit a minute flow of water into a plant or tree root system from a point closely beneath the surface of the ground and including means for holding the valve captive while servicing the weeper assembly or while converting from weeper flow to sprinkler head opera tion.

Recently conducted experiments have demonstrated that very substantial economies can be achieved in the use of irrigation water by slow diffusion of a surprisingly small amount into the plant root system on a prolonged or a continuous basis. Various devices have been proposed for carrying out this general concept; however, there are numerous problems for which satisfactory answers have not been provided in the devices so far provided. The seepage flow required at each outlet is extremely small and varies, from a flow rate of one half to approximately gallons per hour depending upon the particular prevailing conditions and the size of the root system being irrigated, a flow of l to 3 gallons per hour being typical for watering a small tree such a citrus tree under typical Southern California conditions.

, It is at once apparent that precision flow control equipment must be employed and that it is subject to erratic behaviour due to various causes not easily taken into account including pressure variations in the line, the presence of foreign matter in the water supply, and more particularly the presence in the water supply of earth minerals and salts which tend to deposit on surfaces over which the water flows slowly. Stoppage and variation in the rate of flow are readily recognized as intolerable in an irrigation system designed to supply bare minimum water requirements. Owing to the need for outlets at frequent intervals and, in the case of larger plants such as trees, close to each tap root, the cost of the weeper assemblies and supply connections must be held to a minimum.

Weeper assemblies as heretofore proposed have failed to meet the foregoing and other critical requirements in various respects. For example, they fail to include suitable provision for servicing the individual as semblies without interrupting the operation of other portions of the system. Another shortcoming is the lack of simple, effective means built into each weeper assembly effective to cut off the water flow through any outlet automatically as that outlet is being opened-for inspection and servicing. Prior devices also lack a simple, inexpensive and easily manipulatable means for adjusting the weeper flow rate in the field as well as provision for preventing foreign-matter entering the assembly while it is being serviced. Nor do prior systems have provision for quickly" and inexpensively shifting from weeper operation to sprinkler operation. I

= To meet the foregoing and other shortcomings of prior practice in this art, there is provided bythe present invention an exceedingly simple, inexpensive, rugged irrigation flow control device and method operable selectively at one or more weepage flow rates, or as a sprinkler, at the users option.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a weeper irrigation assembly having a single valve held captively assembled therein between two fixed seats and closing automatically under either subatmospheric or super-atmospheric pressure conditions.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a weeper assembly having a single valve held captively assembled therein while the separable weeper valve seat is detached or being serviced.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a weeper assembly having two valve seats closely spaced to one another at the outlet end thereof, including fixed valve seat and a removable valve seat cooperating with an associated valve to provide a desired weepage flow then held in assembled position and the fixed seat cooperating with the valve to cut off all flow when the removable seat is not held tightly in assembled position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a weeper outlet having an adjustable valve seat provided with a plurality of valve seating surfaces each notched to provide a different weeper flow rate when the flow control valve is seated thereon.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a convertible weeper assembly having a fixed value seat adjacent its outlet end and a valve member adapted to be held seated thereon bywater pressure and which weeper assembly is convertible to sprinkler head operation when a sprinkler head is attached thereto and having means on its inlet end tohold the weeper valve open as an incident to the connection of a sprinkler head to the weeper assembly.

These and other more specific objects will appear upon reading the following specification and claims upon considering in connection therewith the attached drawing to which they relate.

Referring now to the drawing in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated:

FIG. 1 is a generally schematic view showing theinvention weeper assembly installed in a water supply line with each assembly close to the tap root of a tree irrigated thereby; I

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view on an enlarged scale through a preferred embodiment of the weeper assembly with the valve seated against the weeper inlet passage;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged view taken along line 3-3 on FIG. 2 and showing the valve in use to control weepage flow;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view, partly in section, showing the sprinkler head attached to the weeper;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of a portion of the lower end of the sprinkler head; and

FIG. 6 is a view on an enlarged scale of a typical weeper valve seat.

Referring initially more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown an illustrative installation of the invention including a water supply line 10 extending from any suitable pressurized source past a row of trees to be irrigated. Installed at intervals and close to the tap root of each tree is a unitary weeper assembly 11, the outlet upper end of which being usually located just beneath the surface of the ground and normally concealed and protected by an overlying layer of dirt.

The structural details of assembly 11 are best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The assembly includes a T-shaped main body fitting 12 having a tubular housing 13 bonded or otherwise suitably secured in its T-stem. Housing 13 has a central bore 14 formed at its upper end with an integral or fixed first valve seat 15 on which the ball valve 16 can seat under certain conditions. Valve 16 is held captively assembled within housing 13 by valve seat 15 and by a lower or third valve seat here shown as formed by a short sleeve 18 and inserted from the lower or inlet end of housing 13 and held in place by adhesive or other suitable means. The valve seats on sleeve 18 and safeguards against the entry of trash and air as the system is cut off and water gravitates out from lower level ones of the weeper outlets.

As is best shown in FIG. 3, the outlet or upper end of housing 13 is provided with a weeper flow control valve seat formed by a second valve seat ring 20 of noncorrosive material and preferably from smoothsurfaced stainless steel, brass or molded plastic. Ring 20 is formed with a cylindrical bore 21 of substantially smaller diameter than the bore through valve seat 15. As is made clear by FIG. 3, the inner end of passage 21 is sufficiently close to the seating edge of valve seat 15 as to hold valve 16 unseated therefrom so long as seating ring 20 is held firmly in its assembled position by means which will now be described.

Valve seat ring 20 has a snug fit in a circular recess 23 concentrically of passage 14 through housing 13. Normally ring 20 is held in firmly and fluid tight assembled position by the cup-shaped cap 25 having threads mating with threads 26 encircling the upper end of housing 13. Threads 26 are slotted crosswise thereof and along at least one side of housing 13 as is indicated at 27 thereby to provide a free flow channel through which the water escapes into the ground, as is indicated by the arrow 28. Seated in a well in the bottom of cap 25 is a resilient pressure member 30 having a channel 31 along which the water flows before entering the escape slot 27. As will be apparent from the foregoing,

the tightening of the cap 25 applies pressure through member 30 to the valve seat ring 20 so that the latter is assured of a fluid tight fit with the surfaces of recess 23. The semi-soft character of pressure member 30 compensates for tolerance variations in the parts and serves to apply and distribute pressure to the ring 20 in a manner holding it firmly in seating contact with recess 23 so long as cap 25 is tightened. If the cap is not tightened, the water pressure interiorly of the assembly will act on valve 16 forcing it upwardly until it seats against the fixed valve seat 15.

As is best shown in FIG. 6, the weeper valve seat ring 20 may and preferably does have one or more minute calibration type passages or notches 35 across its inner rim edge at either end of passage 21. If there are such notches at both ends of passage 21, as there preferably are, these notches may be and preferably are of a different size. This makes it a simple matter to change the seepage flow rate by temporarily detaching cap 25 and inverting seat ring 20 to bring the alternate flow notches 35 into operating position relative to valve 16.. The cap is then replaced and tightened.

Referring now to FIG. 4, thereis shown a unitary sprinkler head assembly having an elongated tubular main body 41 formed with a threaded well 42 at its lower end mateable with the threads 26 of the weeper housing '13. Freely and rotatably supported at the upper end of housing 41 is a conventional type sprinkler head 44 the arms of which radiate in the manner shown and terminating in reaction-type water dispensing jets 45. The outletopenings of these jets are directed outwardly and upwardly in opposite directions in a manner well known to those familiar with sprinkler heads designed for rotation by the reactive forces of the water issuing from their tips.

Frictionally supported at the lower end of the water distributing passage 47 of the sprinkler head is a tubular projection 48 the constructional details of which are best shown in FIG. 5. The lower end of this fitting has a deep V-shape notch 49 so shaped as to have a minimum of contact points with ball valve 16. The exterior diameter of fitting 48 is less than the outlet opening through the fixed valve seat 15. Consequently the fitting is readily received through this opening as the sprinkler head is threaded onto the outer end of housing 13. During this assembly operation, fitting 48 projects downwardly through valve seat 15 so as to cam valve 16 off from seat 15 and holding it clear of this seat so long as the sprinkler head is in assembled position. Although not so shown it will be understood that the inner end of the threaded well at the inlet of the sprinkler head may be provided with a gasket avoiding any possibility of leakage although it will be apparent from FIG. 4 that the flange 50 on member 48 seats against the bottom of recess 23 and provides a fluid tight seal for the sprinkler head.

The operation of the weeper assembly will be quite apparent from the foregoing detailed description of the components and their relationship to one another. Normally, the system is installed as shown in FIG. 1 and the main water valve, not shown, is left in an open position supplying pressurized water, as at 20-30 psi, to all of the weeper assemblies 11, 11. The main line pressure lifts valve 16 off the lower seat 18 and holds it firmly against the inner end of passage 23 through the weeper seat ring 20. Water escapes through the notches 35, passages 31, and passage 27 into the ground and the adjacent root system being irrigated. In this manner the root system is maintained moist by continual slow seepage of water at the desired rate determined by the size of the calibrated notches 35 in theoouter valve seat ring 20.

Should the operator desire to either decrease or increase the seepage rate, he merely brushes away the dirt covering the top of cap 25 and removes the cap. Thereupon, the internal water pressure raises ball 16 into seating engagement with the fixed seat 15 and, in so doing, elevates the outer seat ring 20. If the operator wishes to change the rate to that provided by the notches 35 at the upper end of passage 21, he merely inverts the seating ring and restores it to recess 23 and then reassembles cap 25 until it is firmly tightened. As the cap approaches its tightened position, ring 20 engages valve 16 and depresses it from seat 15 thereby restoring the flow through the new set of weeper passages. If a flow different from that provided by the notches at either end of the ring is desired, the operator merely inserts a substitute valve seat ring having notches of the proper size.

Under certain circumstances inspection of the tree being irrigated may disclose the need for a larger and a more widely dispersed flow of water. In this event,

cap 25 is removed along with seating ring 20, and sprinkler head 40 is assembled to housing 13 and firmly tightened. During this assembly operation, fitting 48 at the lower end of the sprinkler head passes through valve seat 15 forcing valve 16 off its seat so that water flows past the valve, through fitting 48, and issues from water jets 45, the latter then being effective to rotate the sprinkler head and disperse the jets of water over a very considerable area. It will also be recognized that if the operator wishes a larger volume flow without dispersing it widely, he may detach one or both of the sprinkler head jets 45 or he may remove the rotating arms 44 temporarily. As is true of servicing operations performed on weeper assembly 11, installation and detachment of the sprinkler head can be performed without need for shutting off the main water supply or interfering in any way with the normal operation of all other weeper assemblies connected to supply line 10. Nor is there any risk of foreign matter entering the assembly while either cap 25 or the sprinkler head is detached since the main line pressure is then effective to hold valve 16 firmly seated against seat 15. At that time, all exposed parts of the assembly are readily viewed and inspected for the presence of any dirt before the cap or the sprinkler is attached.

Another feature of the invention is the capability and ease with which the outlet assembly can be flushed during a servicing operation without need for cutting off the system or interfering with the operation of any other outlet. The operator merely detaches cap 25 allowing valve 16 to seat and, in so doing, elevates seating ring 20. This ring is then lifted out ,permitting the operator to use his finger tip or a smaller diameter plunger to depress the valve thereby allowing a fast flowing stream to issue adequate to thoroughly flush away any trash, debris or particles in that portion of the line or that weeper assembly. Following this flushing operation the parts are reassembled.

Although weeper notches 35 are preferably located in the separable valve seat member 20, it will be recognized that they may be formed in the valve seating edge of fixed seat 15 in which event the flow rate of the as sembly can be varied only by removing cap 25 and substituting the sprinkler head assembly, Cap 25 serves as a protective cover and safeguards against the entry of trash and foreign matter.

While the particular combined weeper and sprinkler assembly and method for use in a slow diffusion type irrigation system herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the detail of construction or design herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. That method of irrigating plant life from a supply of pressurized water which comprises: utilizing the pressurized water at one time to hold a gravity responsive valve seated against the inlet end of a water outlet to limit the escape of water therefrom so long as said water supply to said valve is pressurized and permitting 7 means to hold said valve unseated from the inlet end of said water outlet, and utilizing the flow of water past said unseated valve to operate said rotary sprinkler means to fling and disperse the water flow over a large area of ground surrounding said rotary sprinkler means.

2. That method defined in claim 1 characterized in substituting a protective cap over said water outlet upon detaching said rotary sprinkler means therefrom, and providing for the escape from said water outlet of a substantially reduced flow of water when said protective cap is in place over said water outlet.

3. That method defined in claim 1 characterized in the steps of utilizing said water outlet selectively and interchangeably with said rotary sprinkler means and with a protective cap assembled thereover, and restricting the escape of water from said outlet to a relatively small weeper-like flow when said protective cap is assembled thereto and permitting a greatly augmented flow therefrom when said sprinkler means is assembled thereto.

4. That method defined in claim 1 characterized in the step of holding said valve captive between a pair of valve seats respectively located on the opposite sides of said valve relative to the path of water flow therepast, and utilizing gravity to hold said valve on one of said seats when the water supply is not pressurized and at other times utilizing pressurized water to urge said valve toward the other of said valve seats.

5. That method defined in claim 3 characterized in the steps of providing a small flow passage past one of said valve seats when said valve is seated thereon.

6. That method defined in claim 1 characterized in the step of utilizing a valve and a seat therefor on said water outlet which are shaped when in engagement with one another to limit the water flow escaping therepast to not more than a few gallons per hour.

7. That method defined in claim 1 characterized in the steps of providing said water outlet with dual seats a first one of which is readily detachable and which, when present, is cooperable with said valve to limit water flow therepast, and a second valve seat having a substantially larger flow port and which is cooperable with said valve when said first valve seat is detached to cut off all water flow past said second seat until such time as said sprinkler means is being secured in place thereabout.

8. That method defined in claim 1 characterized in the steps of providing said water outlet with first and second seats for said valve, said first seat being detachable and cooperable with said valve when attached to said water outlet to permit a limited water flow therepast, and utilizing said second seat when said first seat is detached to seat said valve and prevent flow therepast.

9. That method defined in claim 6 characterized in the step of utilizing the pressurized water to hold said valve seated on said first seat normally and when said first valve seat is attached to said water outlet, and utilizing the pressurized water to hold said valve seated on said second valve seat until said valve is unseated therefrom by assembling said sprinkler means to said valved outlet.

10. That method defined in claim 1 characterized in the step of forcibly unseating said valve from said second seat at times and permitting a rapid but temporary flow of pressurized water therepast.

11. That method of irrigating terrain from a supply line of pressurized water which comprises: utilizing the water pressure at times to hold a spherical valve seated over the inner end of an outlet opening from said supply line which valve is movable to open position by gravity in the absence of pressurized water, and at other times utilizing a portion of the pressurized water to irrigate an extensive area in the vicinity of said outlet opening by detachably securing spray-type sprinkler means over said outlet opening while utilizing said sprinkler means to displace and hold said valve off the inner end of said outlet opening thereby'permitting pressurized water to be distributed over an extensive farea of grounding surrounding said sprinkler means.

12. That method defined in claim 11 characterized in the step of utilizing said pressurized water to reseat said valve over said outlet opening by detaching said water distributor therefrom.

13. That method defined in claim 1 1 characterized in i the steps of providing said water supply line with a plurality of said outlet openings at spaced apart points therealong, and selectively irrigating the ground along I said supply line by attaching said water distributor over v disposed outlets distributed therealong each having an outlet opening, providing each of said outlets with a valve freely movable between first and second vertically spaced apart valve seats interiorly thereof, said valve being responsive to gravity in the absence of pressurized water to seat against said first valve seat and responsive to the presence of pressurized water to seat against said second seat if not forcibly depressed therefrom, distributing a spray of water over the ground surrounding a selected one of said outlet openings by connecting water sprinkler means over a selected one of said outlet openings having a proturberance extending axially from the water inlet end thereof effective to 1 hold said valve forcibly depressed away from said second valve seat as an incident to the attachment of said sprinkler means thereover, and utilizing pressurized water to close said valve automatically as said sprinkler means is detached from said outlet opening.

15. That method of irrigating terrain defined in claim 14 characterized in the steps of providing said outlets with a ball valve, and holding said ball valve depressed from said outlet opening by inserting tubular protuberance means axially into said outlet opening from the outer end thereof and mounted on the water inlet end of said sprinkler means.

16. That method or irrigating terrain from a pressurized water supply line having a plurality of vertically disposed outlets distributed therealong, providing each of said outlets with a valve heldseated over the inner end of said opening by said pressurized water when not forcibly depressed from the outer end of said opening, and distributing a spray of water over the ground surrounding a selected one or ones of said openings by connecting water sprinkler means over said opening having a protuberance extendingaxially from the water inlet end thereof effective to hold said valve displaced inwardly away from said water outlet opening as an incident to the attachment of said. sprinkler means over said outlet opening and utilizing the pressurized water to close said valve automatically as said sprinkler means is detached from said outlet opening.

17. That method of irrigating terrain defined in claim 16 characterized in the steps of providing said outlets with a ball valve, and holding said ball valve depressed from said outlet opening by inserting tubular protuberance means axially into said outlet opening from the outer end thereof.

18. That method of irrigating plant life from a supply of water which comprises: distributing pressurizable water from said water supply to an area to be irrigated in water distributing conduit, providing said conduit at intervals with an outlet fitting having therewithin an outlet passage and a valve shiftable between spaced apart first and second valve seats, utilizing the pressurization of the water in said conduit to shift said valve from said first to said second valve seat, and detachably mounting a water sprinkler head over the outer end of said outlet passage and effective to hold said valve out of seating engagement with both of said first and second valve seats and thereby providing for a flow of water from said sprinkler head effective to fling and disperse the water flow over a large area of ground adjacent said sprinkler head.

19. That method defined in claim 18 characterized in the step of utilizing said outlet fittings to irrigate the ground thereadjacent with a substantially reduced water flow by detaching said sprinkler head and utilizing the pressurized water in the associated one of said outlet fittings to hold said valve in closer proximity to said second valve seat thereby to provide for a relatively small flow of water therefrom.

20. That method defined in claim 18 characterized in the step of utilizing said water distributing conduit to irrigate a substantial area of ground surrounding a selected one or more of said outlet fittings by attaching or detaching a sprinkler head to a selected one or more of said 'outlet fittings while said distributing conduit is charged with pressurized water.

21. That method defined in claim 18 characterized in the step of automatically shifting said valve to said first seat of each of said outlet fittings upon discontinuing the pressurization of the water in said distributing conduit. v 

1. That method of irrigating plant life from a supply of pressurized water which comprises: utilizing the pressurized water at one time to hold a gravity responsive valve seated against the inlet end of a water outlet to limit the escape of water therefrom so long as said water supply to said valve is pressurized and permitting said valve to open by gravity when said water supply to said valve is not pressurized, at other times detachably mounting rotary sprinkler means over said water outlet and equipped at the inlet end of said water outlet with means to hold said valve unseated from the inlet end of said water outlet, and utilizing the flow of water past said unseated valve to operate said rotary sprinkler means to fling and disperse the water flow over a large area of ground surrounding said rotary sprinkler means.
 2. That method defined in claim 1 characterized in substituting a protective cap over said water outlet upon detaching said rotary sprinkler means therefrom, and providing for the escape from said water outlet of a substantially reduced flow of water when said protective cap is in place over said water outlet.
 3. That method defined in claim 1 charaCterized in the steps of utilizing said water outlet selectively and interchangeably with said rotary sprinkler means and with a protective cap assembled thereover, and restricting the escape of water from said outlet to a relatively small weeper-like flow when said protective cap is assembled thereto and permitting a greatly augmented flow therefrom when said sprinkler means is assembled thereto.
 4. That method defined in claim 1 characterized in the step of holding said valve captive between a pair of valve seats respectively located on the opposite sides of said valve relative to the path of water flow therepast, and utilizing gravity to hold said valve on one of said seats when the water supply is not pressurized and at other times utilizing pressurized water to urge said valve toward the other of said valve seats.
 5. That method defined in claim 3 characterized in the steps of providing a small flow passage past one of said valve seats when said valve is seated thereon.
 6. That method defined in claim 1 characterized in the step of utilizing a valve and a seat therefor on said water outlet which are shaped when in engagement with one another to limit the water flow escaping therepast to not more than a few gallons per hour.
 7. That method defined in claim 1 characterized in the steps of providing said water outlet with dual seats a first one of which is readily detachable and which, when present, is cooperable with said valve to limit water flow therepast, and a second valve seat having a substantially larger flow port and which is cooperable with said valve when said first valve seat is detached to cut off all water flow past said second seat until such time as said sprinkler means is being secured in place thereabout.
 8. That method defined in claim 1 characterized in the steps of providing said water outlet with first and second seats for said valve, said first seat being detachable and cooperable with said valve when attached to said water outlet to permit a limited water flow therepast, and utilizing said second seat when said first seat is detached to seat said valve and prevent flow therepast.
 9. That method defined in claim 6 characterized in the step of utilizing the pressurized water to hold said valve seated on said first seat normally and when said first valve seat is attached to said water outlet, and utilizing the pressurized water to hold said valve seated on said second valve seat until said valve is unseated therefrom by assembling said sprinkler means to said valved outlet.
 10. That method defined in claim 1 characterized in the step of forcibly unseating said valve from said second seat at times and permitting a rapid but temporary flow of pressurized water therepast.
 11. That method of irrigating terrain from a supply line of pressurized water which comprises: utilizing the water pressure at times to hold a spherical valve seated over the inner end of an outlet opening from said supply line which valve is movable to open position by gravity in the absence of pressurized water, and at other times utilizing a portion of the pressurized water to irrigate an extensive area in the vicinity of said outlet opening by detachably securing spray-type sprinkler means over said outlet opening while utilizing said sprinkler means to displace and hold said valve off the inner end of said outlet opening thereby permitting pressurized water to be distributed over an extensive area of grounding surrounding said sprinkler means.
 12. That method defined in claim 11 characterized in the step of utilizing said pressurized water to reseat said valve over said outlet opening by detaching said water distributor therefrom.
 13. That method defined in claim 11 characterized in the steps of providing said water supply line with a plurality of said outlet openings at spaced apart points therealong, and selectively irrigating the ground along said supply line by attaching said water distributor over any selected one or more of said outlet openings by utilizing protuberance means on the water inlet end thereof to hold said valve in open position against said pressurized water so long as the associated one of said sprinkler means is attached thereover.
 14. That method of irrigating terrain from a pressurized water supply line having a plurality of vertically disposed outlets distributed therealong each having an outlet opening, providing each of said outlets with a valve freely movable between first and second vertically spaced apart valve seats interiorly thereof, said valve being responsive to gravity in the absence of pressurized water to seat against said first valve seat and responsive to the presence of pressurized water to seat against said second seat if not forcibly depressed therefrom, distributing a spray of water over the ground surrounding a selected one of said outlet openings by connecting water sprinkler means over a selected one of said outlet openings having a proturberance extending axially from the water inlet end thereof effective to hold said valve forcibly depressed away from said second valve seat as an incident to the attachment of said sprinkler means thereover, and utilizing pressurized water to close said valve automatically as said sprinkler means is detached from said outlet opening.
 15. That method of irrigating terrain defined in claim 14 characterized in the steps of providing said outlets with a ball valve, and holding said ball valve depressed from said outlet opening by inserting tubular protuberance means axially into said outlet opening from the outer end thereof and mounted on the water inlet end of said sprinkler means.
 16. That method or irrigating terrain from a pressurized water supply line having a plurality of vertically disposed outlets distributed therealong, providing each of said outlets with a valve held seated over the inner end of said opening by said pressurized water when not forcibly depressed from the outer end of said opening, and distributing a spray of water over the ground surrounding a selected one or ones of said openings by connecting water sprinkler means over said opening having a protuberance extending axially from the water inlet end thereof effective to hold said valve displaced inwardly away from said water outlet opening as an incident to the attachment of said sprinkler means over said outlet opening and utilizing the pressurized water to close said valve automatically as said sprinkler means is detached from said outlet opening.
 17. That method of irrigating terrain defined in claim 16 characterized in the steps of providing said outlets with a ball valve, and holding said ball valve depressed from said outlet opening by inserting tubular protuberance means axially into said outlet opening from the outer end thereof.
 18. That method of irrigating plant life from a supply of water which comprises: distributing pressurizable water from said water supply to an area to be irrigated in water distributing conduit, providing said conduit at intervals with an outlet fitting having therewithin an outlet passage and a valve shiftable between spaced apart first and second valve seats, utilizing the pressurization of the water in said conduit to shift said valve from said first to said second valve seat, and detachably mounting a water sprinkler head over the outer end of said outlet passage and effective to hold said valve out of seating engagement with both of said first and second valve seats and thereby providing for a flow of water from said sprinkler head effective to fling and disperse the water flow over a large area of ground adjacent said sprinkler head.
 19. That method defined in claim 18 characterized in the step of utilizing said outlet fittings to irrigate the ground thereadjacent with a substantially reduced water flow by detaching said sprinkler head and utilizing the pressurized water in the associated one of said outlet fittings to hold said valve in closer proximity to said second valve seat thereby to provide for a relatively small flow of water therefrom.
 20. That method defined in claim 18 characterized in the step of utilizing said water distributing conduit to irrigate a substantial area of ground surrounding a selected one or more of said outlet fittings by attaching or detaching a sprinkler head to a selected one or more of said outlet fittings while said distributing conduit is charged with pressurized water.
 21. That method defined in claim 18 characterized in the step of automatically shifting said valve to said first seat of each of said outlet fittings upon discontinuing the pressurization of the water in said distributing conduit. 